Thousands of young people and their platforms joined a Global Climate Strike in front of the National Press Club demanding public investment banks and private organizations to redirect the investments made in fossil fuel and in harmful agribusiness.
Demanding the end of fossil finance, young people asked the global leaders to fund their future at the Global Climate Strike in front of the Dhaka’s National Press Club on Friday.
More than five hundred slogan-shouting climate fighters gathered at the base of Shaheed Minar after starting the rally at the National Press Club. The protest ended with a call for climate justice.
Young people those who participated in the Global Climate Strike stated that the fossil financers from the Global North are the primary cause of the manmade climate crisis, neocolonial exploitation, wars, and human rights violations. With the capitalistic mindset of making profit, the historically largest emitters of greenhouse gases are responsible for the climate destruction that is particularly and disproportionately harming youth, farmers, women, and marginalised communities in the Global South. These practices are also increasing the ecological debt of the Global North, that they owe to the most affected communities of climate crisis.
Thousands of young people from Activista Bangladesh Platform of ActionAid Bangladesh and more than 20 youth organizations attended the Global Climate Strike this time. Activista volunteers from 21 districts and their 7 local hubs also protested in solidarity with the climate activists across the country by participating in local demonstration in Satkhira, Bagerhat, Noakhali, Kurigram, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Jamalpur, Netrokona, Sunamganj, Mymensingh, Bhola, Sylhet, Kishoreganj, Nilphamari, Kushtia, Barishal, Teknaf and Barguna and many other places.
Young activist Fahida Sultana said, “Today, we are fighting to bring an end to fossil finance and focus more on renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. We are being hurt by the profit-hungry mentality of the wealthy. Our future cannot be sacrificed for profit for greedy corporations.”
Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Lead-Young People, ActionAid Bangladesh remarked, “In solidarity with the young people, we raise our voices in a resounding call to dismantle fossil finance and prioritize sustainable investments in renewable energy and agroecology. Now is the time for action not just talk, as we envision a future where profit never trumps the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. We demand the global north to become responsible to accept responsibility for achieving climate justice and transfer technology as well as resources to foster green transition.”
Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh expressed, “In the wave of global youth-led climate actions, ActionAid Bangladesh supports young climate activists and their platforms across the country to act and demand climate justice. Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, therefore we echo the demand of young people to put an end to fossil fuels and finance green transitions. Furthermore, we urge for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine, as we stand in firm solidarity with the innocent children and women who are being slaughtered by occupational force. We believe that the choices we made now will shape the world for generations to come in the realm of achieving justice.”
Young people also urged for immediate ceasefire in Palestine and stop the inhumane war that is going on right now. They expressed their deep empathy and sorrow for all the civilian especially small children and infant who lost their precious lives.
